Package for capped articles



May 31, 1966 s. A. SPILLSON PACKAGE FOR CAPPED ARTICLES Filed April 16,1964 INVENTOR. GEORGE A. SP 1 LLSON ATTORNEY FIG. 7

United States Patent 3,253,706 PACKAGE FOR CAPPED ARTICLES George A.Spillson, Monroe, Micln, assignor to Consolidated Packaging Corporation,Monroe, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed Apr. 16, 1964, Ser. No.360,222 2 Claims. (Cl. 206-65) This invention relates to paperboardwrapper type carriers or cartons for containers provided with caps ofthe crown type and is particularly directed to a carrier for a pluralityof rows of such containers.

An object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive wrapper andcarrier having utility in the display and handling of units or packs ofcontainers, particularly disposable containers, such as bottles and cansfor beverages, liquids or powders.

Another object of the invention is to produce such wrappers or carriersfrom single blanks so that a minimum of paperboard is used but which arecapable of maintaining the containers in their packaged form for easyhandling.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carrier with a top ofdouble thickness to reinforce the openings therein for the containernecks as well as the finger holes for carrying the package.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure and means toinsure the position of the bases of the containers and prevent them fromcontacting each other.

Still another object is to improve the package for capped containersdisclosed in Ringler U. S. Patent No. 2,654,474 issued October 6, 1953.

Generally speaking the invention comprises a wrapper for a double row ofcrown-type capped containers formed from a blank of paperboard that hasbeen transversely scored to form bottom, side, lower and upper corners,and overlapping top panels, the blank also having rows of cutouts ineach top panel to receive the capped ends of the containers, one row ofcutouts in each top panel being further provided with half sunburstsforming tabs to lock the panels below the caps of the containers. Othercuts in lower corner panels at the juncture of the bottom and sidepanels receive the lower side wall portions of the containers andcooperate with the openings in the top panels to maintain the containersin fixed position. Furthermore, upwardly extending hinged tabs may beformed in the bottom panel for separating the bottoms of the containersand preventing them from bumping together. Complementary finger holes inthe top panels are further reinforced by tabs in the outer panel whichunderlie the inner panel.

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention andthe manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the inventionitself will be understood best by reference to the following descriptionof an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of scored and cut blank from which the carrier isformed;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view showing the end containers of two rowsthereof in position onthe bottom panel of the blank of FIG. 1, with thesides shown also in partially wrapped position in dotted lines;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 2 of the partially formedcarrier showing the side panels and the inner top panel in foldedpositions;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the outer top panel inposition on the inner top panel and the finger hole tabs foldedinwardly;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the finger hole tabs againstthe inner top panel;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the filled and closed carrier;

FIG. 7 is a slightly enlarged fragmentary longitudinal "Ice sectionaldetail view taken along line VIIVII of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a slightly enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional detailview taken along line VIIIVIH of FIG. 6.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an elongated rectangularblank 20 which has been cut and scored to provide the wrapper of thepresent invention. The shape of the blank 20 permits a plurality thereofto be cut from large sheets of paperboard without waste. Dash linesindicate score or fold lines, while solid lines indicate cut lines onthe blank shown in FIG. 1.

Blank 20 is transversely scored at 22 and 23 to form a central bottompanel 25 the length of which is determined by the width of the blank 20in turn determined by the combined dimensions of the bottoms of thecontainers C per row of the unit or pack. If desired, the bottom panel25may be provided with hinged cut-out flanges 26 located between eachpair of containers C to prevent their bases from bumping together and inthe case of bottlesreduce their breakage. For example, a six pack whichhas been illustrated in the drawings comprises six containers C arrangedin two rows of three each, while in an eight pack there would be tworows of four each for which the width of the blank 20' would bedimensioned accordingly. The width of the bottornpanel 25 is somewhatless than the width of two containers C, and the blank 20 is thusprovided with additional transverse scores 27 and 28 parallel to scores22 and 23, respectively, to form intermediate comparatively narrow orlower corner diagonal panels 30 and 31 in each of which there are aplurality of crescent shaped cutouts 33 spaced to receive portions ofthe bottom edges and/or side walls E of the containers C.

Scores 28 and 27 also define the bottom line or edge of side panels 35and 36, respectively, while scores 38 and 39 provide the upper lines oredges thereof as well as the bottom lines of intermediate or uppercorner or diagonal panels 41 and 42 for overlying the tapered neckportion N frequently formed on cans as well as bottles. Top panels 44and 45 are articulated to the panels 41 and 42 along score lines 46 and47, the inner panel 44 being of greater width than outer panel 45.

The inner top panel 44 is provided with a flap or lip 49 engageable withnecks N of containers C beneath panel 42 and a row of holes 50, whileouter partial top panel 45 is provided with a row of holes 52, holes 50and 52 being adjacent the edges of their respective upper corner ordiagonal panels 41 and 42. Holes 50 and 52 are spaced in the top panels44 and 45 and of a size so that they can be forced over the caps T ofthe containers positioned adjacent the side panels 35 and 36,respectively. Holes 50 and 52 do not freely receive the bottle caps Tbut rather are of somewhat smaller diameter and provided with halfsunbursts comprising a plurality of radial cuts 54 extend ing from theholes 50 and 52 toward the centers of panels 44 and 45, the ends of cuts54 being connected by an arcuate score 56, forming hinged tabs 57. Thuswhen the caps T of the containers C pass through the holes 50 and 52 thetabs 57 are deflected, permitting passage of the caps T through thepanels 44 and 45 and when these panels are properly seated, the tabs 57engage beneath the caps T to lock the necks of the containers againstmovement.

The outer edge 59 of panel 45 is further provided with a plurality ofspaced notches 60 for engaging the necks N beneath the caps T of thecontainers C in the row thereof not received in holes 52, while panel 44is provided with a second row of holes 62 which are of larger diameterthan the holes 50 for freely receiving the caps T of the row ofcontainers C and their edges engage the necks N beneath the caps T ofsaid row of containers, as do the notches 60 described above.Additionally, the flap 49 may be bent downwardly into contact with thetapered necks N of containers C.

The top panel 45 may be further provided with a pair of spaced U-shapedcuts 65 forming tabs 67 connected along scores 68 to the panel 45, andthe top panel 44 may have complementary U-shaped cutouts 66 oralternately may be provided tabs similar to those in panel 45. Thescores 68 serve as bend lines about which tabs 67 may be hinged toengage the bottom surface of panel 44. This provides a pair ofreinforced finger holes by which the filled-package may be convenientlyand safely carried.

The'steps of forming a filled package are shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5wherein it will be noted that the blank 20 is placed flat with theinside thereof facing upwardly, as in FIG. 1, to receive the two rows ofcontainers C with their bottoms resting on the panel 25. If thecontainers C are bottles, then the spacing flaps 26 are pushed upwardlybetween each bottle as shown also in dotted lines in FIG. 6. The blank20 is then folded along score lines 22, 23, 27 and 28 to bring the sidepanels 35 and 36 up along the outsides of the containers C in whichposition the crescent cutouts 33 enbrace the lower outside walls E ofthe containers C adjacent the bottoms thereof. Next the inner top panel44 is folded inwardly and downwardly on score lines 38 and 46, and holes50 forced over the caps of the adjacent row of containers C with theedges of holes 62 in engagement with the necks N below the caps T of theother row of containers C. The panel 45 is similarly folded inwardly anddownwardly to overlay panel 44, the holes 52 being passed over the capsof the adjacent row of containers and with the notches 60 in engagementwith the necks N below the caps T of the other row of containers C. Insuch position, the tabs 57 as well as the edges of notches 60 and holes62 in panels 44 and 45 lock beneath the caps T of the containers C asabove described. The edges of holes 62 and notches 60 are spaced fromholes 60 and 62 so as to urge the tabs 57 into engagement beneath capsT. To empty the carrier, it is only necessary to disengage the notches'60 from the necks of containers C and swing top panels 45 and 44successively arculately upwardly which releases the caps T from theirlocked engagement with tabs 57, holes60 and notches 62 to free thecontainers fromthe top panels.

While there is described above the principles of this invention inconnection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood thatthis description is made only by way of example and not as a limitationto the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is: I

1. A wrap-around carrier for two rows of capped containers comprising:

a single elongated rectangular strip of fibrous sheet material, having aplurality of transverse score lines dividing said strip into (A) acentral bottom panel having a width less than that of said two rows ofcontainers,

(B) a pair of upwardly and outwardly extending lower corner panels oneach side of said bottom panel, and having apertures therealong forpositioning the lower outer corners of the adjacent row of saidcontainers,

(C) a pair of vertical side panels extending upwardly from said lowercorner panels and having a height less than said containers,

(D) a pair of upwardly and inwardly extending upper corner panelsextending from the top of each side panel, and

(E) a full top panel extending from the upper edge of one of said uppercorner panels and having:

.(a) a row of apertures of lesser diameter than the caps on saidcontainers and extending along the edge of said full top panel joiningsaid one upper corner panel, each of said apertures having radial slitsaround its side opposite its joining edge for permitting the insertionof the caps of the adjacent row of said containers and engagement underthe caps of that adjacent row,

(b) a second row of apertures inwardly of the edge of said full toppanel for free passage over the caps of the other row of saidcontainers, and

(c) a pair of longitudinally spaced central finger holes between saidrows of apertures; and

(F) a partial top panel extending from the uppper edge of the other oneof said upper corner panels, overlapping said full top panel and havmg:

(a) a first row of apertures of lesser diameter than the caps on saidcontainers and extending along the edge of said full top panel joiningsaid other upper corner panel, each of said apertures having radialslits around its side opposite its joining edge permitting the insertionof the caps of its adjacent row of said containers and being inengagement under the caps of that adjacent row,

(b) a row of notches along the free edge of said partial top panel forengagement below the caps of the other row of said containers, and

(c) a pair of longitudinally spaced central finger holes aligned withsaid finger holes in said full top panel, said holes having hinged tabswhich extend through said finger holes in said full top panel and mayunderlie the same.

2. A wrap-around carrier according to claim 1 wherein said bottom panelincludes a plurality of hinged tabs extending vertically upwardlybetween the bases of said containers for spacing said containers fromeach other.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,654,474 10/1953Ringler 220108 3,111,797 11/1963 Englander et al. 3,175,684 3/1965,Andre et al 206- THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

W. T, DIXSON, Assistant Examiner.

1. A WRAP-AROUND CARRIER FOR TWO ROWS OF CAPPED CONTAINERS COMPRISING: ASINGLE ELONGATED RECTANGULAR STRIP OF FIBROUS SHEET MATERIAL, HAVING APLURALITY OF TRANSVERSE SCORE LINES DIVIDING SAID STRIP INTO (A) ACENTRAL BOTTOM PANEL HAVING A WIDTH LESS THAN THAT OF SAID TWO ROWS OFCONTAINERS, (B) A PAIR OF UPWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY EXTENDING LOWER CORNERPANELS ON EACH SIDE OF SAID BOTTOM PANEL, AND HAVING APERTURESTHEREALONG FOR POSITIONING THE LOWER OUTER CORNERS OF THE ADJACENT ROWOF SAID CONTAINERS, (C) A PAIR OF VERTICAL SIDE PANELS EXTENDINGUPWARDLY FROM SAID LOWER CORNER PANELS AND HAVING A HEIGHT LESS THANSAID CONTAINERS, (D) A PAIR OF UPWARDLY AND INWARDLY EXTENDING UPPERCORNER PANELS EXTENDING FROM THE TOP OF EACH SIDE PANEL, AND (F) A FULLTOP PANEL EXTENDING FROM THE UPPER EDGE OF ONE OF SAID UPPER CORNERPANELS AND HAVING: (A) A ROW OF APERTURES OF LESSER DIAMETER THAN THECAPS ON SAID CONTAINERS AND EXTENDING ALONG THE EDGE OF SAID FULL TOPPANEL JOINING SAID ONE UPPER CORNER PANEL, EACH OF SAID APERTURES HAVINGRADIAL SLITS AROUND ITS SIDE OPPOSITE ITS JOINING EDGE FOR PERMITTINGTHE INSERTION OF THE CAPS OF THE ADJACENT ROW OF SAID CONTAINERS ANDENGAGEMENT UNDER THE CAPS OF THAT ADJACENT ROW, (B) A SECOND ROW OFAPERTURES INWARDLY OF THE EDGE OF SAID FULL TOP PANEL FOR FREE PASSAGEOVER THE CAPS OF THE OTHER ROW OF SAID CONTAINERS, AND (C) A PAIR OFLONGITUDINALLY SPACED CENTRAL FINGER HOLES BETWEEN SAID ROWS OFAPERTURES; AND (F) A PARTIAL TOP PANEL EXTENDING FROM THE UPPER EDGE OFTHE OTHER ONE OF SAID UPPER CORNER PANELS OVERLAPPING SAID FULL TOPPANEL AND HAVING: (A) A FIRST ROW OF APERTURES OF LESSER DIAMETER THANTHE CAPS ON SAID CONTAINERS AND EXTENDING ALONG THE EDGE OF SAID FULLTOP PANEL JOINING SAID OTHER UPPER CORNER PANEL, EACH OF SAID APERTURESHAVING RADIAL SLITS AROUND ITS SIDE OPPOSITE ITS JOINING EDGE PERMITTINGTHE INSERTION OF THE CAPS OF ITS ADJACENT ROW OF SAID CONTAINERS ANDBEING IN ENGAGEMENT UNDER THE CAPS OF THAT ADJACENT ROW; (B) A ROW OFNOTCHES ALONG THE FREE EDGE OF SAID PARTIAL TOP PANEL FOR ENGAGEMENTBELOW THE CAPS OF THE OTHER ROW OF SAID CONTAINERS, AND (C) A PAIR OFLONGITUDINALLY SPACED CENTRAL FINGER HOLES ALIGNED WITH SAID FINGERHOLES IN SAID FULL TOP PANEL, SAID HOLES HAVING HINGED TABS WHICH EXTENDTHROUGH SAID FINGER HOLES IN SAID FULL TOP PANEL AND MAY UNERLIE THESAME.